Florida’s matchup with Auburn may turn on a spot in the defense that doesn’t always get the spotlight: Star.
It’s the role Jon Sumrall and defensive coordinator Brad White are trusting Kanye Clark and Lagonza Hayward to handle this Saturday, and it comes with a little bit of everything. In some packages, the two will line up in the box. In others, they’ll be responsible for tight ends and slots coming across the middle - exactly the kind of assignments that can force Auburn quarterback Byrum Brown to think on the fly.
That could matter a lot against an SEC defense, especially for a quarterback making his first start in the Power Four. Brown also ran into trouble the last time he faced a Sumrall-coached defense, when he rushed for negative yardage against Tulane and completed just 134 passing yards in a 45-10 loss in 2024.
Now he gets that same coach with more resources and defenders ready to chase him from sideline to sideline.
The Star spot has become one of Florida’s most important jobs this week because it asks a player to do just about everything. It’s a hybrid responsibility - part defensive back, part linebacker, part traffic cop for the entire defense. That versatility is what makes it so valuable, and it’s why Florida needs the position to hold up against Auburn.
Clark and Hayward have both shown they can be around the ball. After the Campbell game, Clark is tied for fourth on the team in tackles with 7, while Hayward is right behind him with 6.
Hayward tied for third in the Campbell blowout win with 4 tackles, while Clark had none. Clark made his biggest mark against Florida Atlantic, where he recorded seven tackles and tied for third on the team.
Hayward added two tackles in that game as well.
Sumrall said Monday that both players have started to stand out.
"I thought Kanye's done some good things. You know, I really think Lagonza, we put him down there some last week.
He flashed. And then Alfonso's, you know, he's functioned well there.
But Lagonza was a real bright spot last week. I thought we've moved him down there more.
I thought two guys that stood out to me on defense and the secondary that maybe are earning more opportunities are Lagonza and J'Vari Flowers."
That kind of activity is exactly what Florida wants from the position. If Clark, Hayward, or both are constantly showing up around the football, the Gators can make Auburn’s offense work harder for every inch.
When Florida walks into Jordan-Hare Stadium in front of 88,000 people, the Star position could be the place that sets the tone. If Clark and Hayward bring the same edge they’ve shown so far, Florida has a good chance to leave with its third straight win.
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